2 min article

Credit and debit cards policy

Some types of cards are considered collectable and may have some value to certain collectors. eBay allows the listing of inactive credit or debit cards, as long as the expiration date on the face of the card is at least 10 years old.

Before listing this type of item, you must:

  • Block out or blur the name and part of the number on the card if including a picture in the listing
  • Include the expiration date in the description and picture
  • Look at the terms and conditions from the issuing card company to make sure the sale of the expired card is allowed. Some credit and debit card companies keep ownership even after the card expires.

What are the guidelines?

Allowed

  • Blank plastic cards, with or without magnetic strips, that have not been branded or printed with any logos, digits or any other information
 

 

Restricted

  • Inactive credit and debit cards that expired at least 10 years ago
  • Expired, pre-paid credit cards that expired at least 10 years ago and cannot be reactivated.
 

 

Not allowed

  • Currently active bank credit or debit cards
  • Currently active store credit cards
  • Pre-paid Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards, regardless of the amount on the card
  • Expired bank or store cards that have been expired less than 10 years
  • Cards still owned by the company or card issuer, even after the card has expired
  • Non-embossed bank or store credit cards
  • Offers of credit and credit accounts aren’t allowed under our securities policy

Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.

 

Why does eBay have this policy?

Unexpired credit or debit cards can't lawfully be transferred from one person to another, and sellers may not list such items. The transfer of recently expired credit cards raises privacy concerns and creates the potential for abuse. These items also aren’t allowed to be listed.

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